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Vintage Audio - Your King and Country Want You

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A sentimental favourite at
the start of war in 1914, Your King and Country Want You was penned
by Paul Rubens.

Rubens had established
himself in the pre-war years as the author of numerous popular musical
shows. His shows included Mr Popple (of Ippleton) (1905),
The Dairymaids (1906), Miss Hook of Holland (1907) and The
Sunshine Girl (1912).

A prolific author, lyricist
and composer, Rubens' career was cut short by his early death from
consumption at the age of 41 in 1917.

Your King and Country
Want You was notably used as a means of persuading young men to enlist
for military service in 1914. The veteran theatrical performer Vesta
Tilley often performed the song at recruitment rallies; men who declined to
enlist at the end of these were invariably handed
white
feathers by children chosen for the task.

Two versions of the song
are included here (for which abridged lyrics are reproduced below), both
recorded in 1914.
Edna Thornton and Helen Clark's renditions are available using the
player above.

Your King and
Country Want You

We've watched you playing cricket and every
kind of game,
At football, golf and polo you men have made your name.
But now your country calls you to play your part in war.
And no matter what befalls you
We shall love you all the more.
So come and join the forces
As your fathers did before.

Oh, we don't want to lose you but we think you
ought to go.
For your King and your country both need you so.
We shall want you and miss you
But with all our might and main
We shall cheer you, thank you, bless you
When you come home again.